Commission refuses to block Walmart near Oviedo

A group of Seminole County residents tried unsuccessfully Tuesday to block construction of a Walmart Supercenter in their neighborhood near Oviedo.

The residents, who represented several homeowner associations, went before county commissioners to request that they overturn the county staff's approval of the 100,000-square-foot store under construction near the intersection of Aloma Avenue and Deep Lake Road.

The Walmart will be next to a Kohl's department store and stay open 24 hours a day. Some residents argued that the store will increase traffic, noise and crime in the area, but commissioners supported the staff's decision and denied the appeal. They said the project, which was approved in April, met all zoning regulations and would bring in less traffic than initially expected.